NFL fans can’t believe what George Kittle did during crucial Super Bowl play that might have cost 49ers the game

George Kittle is a larger than life tight end with the skills to match.

However, the co-founder of Tight End University had a lapse in concentration in the 49ers' 25-22 loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII that may well have cost his team the game.

The Niners started the 'Big Game' off hot, marching down the field and getting to the Chiefs' 40-yard line.

With the end zone close, running back Christian McCaffrey picked up the ball on the fifth play of the drive but ultimately fumbled it.

The ball was up for grabs and a nearby Kittle could have recovered it had he been more switched on.

However, the TE, who had just finished off a block of Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis, appeared to be too preoccupied with joking around with his opponent.

“Hey George,” Kittle exclaimed, as picked up by microphones on the latest NFL Turning Point show.

Unbeknownst to Kittle, the fumble occurred right behind him and Karlaftis, who was paying attention, pounced on the ball and recovered it.

Kittle immediately jumped behind his opponent but it was too late and the 49ers incurred a costly turnover.

Had he been more alert the 49ers could have kept the drive alive and added valuable points to the board.

It's all hypothetical now but had the Niners managed to get a field goal on that drive it could have made all the difference in the game.

They still may have lost but in a contest of fine margins that could have been a game-changing moment.

Kittle's costly mistake went viral on social media and fans were surprised by his lack of concentration in such a pivotal moment.

"One dude has his mind on ball. Other dude wanted to talk. No wonder KC won that game they were more prepared in every way," said one fan.

"Kittle always trying to be funny or clever, bit him in the butt this time," added another.

";One guy came to play football the other was worried about being a comedian," a third wrote.

"Kittle worrying too much about his mic’d up segment on TV, and not enough about the play going on behind him," a fourth replied.

To be fair to Kittle the game was far from over at the point and the Niners still had plenty of time to win the game.

Mahomes could also still have come up with some late game magic to secure the victory even if Kittle recovered CMC's fumble.

In the end, the 49ers' decision to take the football in overtime after seemingly not understanding the rules was more pivotal than Kittle's incident.

They invited Mahomes to come up with the game-winning score and he duly obliged by finding wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr open near the end zone with seconds to spare.

San Francisco's wait for a sixth Lombardi Trophy continues as Mahomes, and the Chiefs, captured their third Super Bowl ring of the Andy Reid era.

Kansas City have beaten the 49ers in two of those Super Bowls and it appears they just have their number.